Bhubaneswar, July 20 (UDN): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall activity across Odisha over the next five days, issuing Yellow Warnings for several districts for heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds until July 25.

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According to the IMD, a favourable weather system is expected to keep monsoon activity active across the state, with intermittent heavy rainfall likely in northern, central, and coastal districts.

On July 21, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph are also expected across several coastal, northern, and interior districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Gajapati, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, and Nayagarh.

The weather agency has forecast heavy rainfall over Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj on July 22, while thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected to continue in several coastal districts.

On July 23, isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in adjoining districts.

For July 24, the IMD has predicted thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds over Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj.

On July 25, thunderstorm activity is expected to persist over Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur, with gusty surface winds likely at isolated locations.

The IMD has advised residents, particularly those living in coastal and northern Odisha, to remain vigilant and avoid open areas during thunderstorms. People have also been urged to keep track of official weather advisories as conditions may change rapidly.

Farmers have been advised to take necessary measures to protect standing crops, while fishermen have been urged to monitor weather bulletins before venturing into water bodies. Travellers and commuters have also been cautioned to exercise care during periods of intense rainfall and reduced visibility.

The weather department said the active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over Odisha in the coming days, bringing widespread rainfall across several parts of the state.